The North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce is urging the Treasury to extend its commitment over business rates to include all sectors.
While a cut in the rates for pubs across the county has been announced this month, Chamber members feel more sectors should be included in the promised cuts.
Lancashire’s hospitality sector, which employs thousands across the Fylde coast, Morecambe and the Ribble Valley, faces the highest levels of concern, with the manufacturing sector also expressing disquiet over the plans, due to come into force this April.
Many smaller firms are at greater risk and it is feared that Lancashire’s SME community, which makes up the vast majority of businesses, could go out of business if the government fails to act.
Almost a quarter of businesses surveyed last year say business rates had a direct impact on their prices and causes them to shelve investment and growth plans.
